Hi all,

I thought I would pass on a treatment I just started to improve the mobility, and decrease tightness in my neck. It is a combined treatment with 2 different types of lasers, and the general gist is that the laser makes tiny holes in the scar tissue to allow new healthy collagen to form (like aerating your lawn).

As it was explained to me, a scar forms because it is the body's immediate reaction to trauma, and the first instinct is to close the wound immediately. As such, the collagen forms thick bundles. This has the result of pulling skin tighter, which accounts for the tightness in the incision and surrounding areas.

In my case (not sure everyone else has this), I feel like I am wearing a choke collar all the time, which in turn limits my mobility. In addition, it pulls my other skin, so that the left side of my mouth and chin are pulled down. It's noticible when I smile, and it looks a bit like I have had a stroke. I also note that in my stretching excercises, I can feel the pull on the "new" tongue, as all is connected to the floor of the mouth.

The laser is called Ultra Pulse (SCAARS - Synergistic Coagulation and Ablation for Advanced Resurfacing - yep, it's a mouthful). It takes numerous treatments, and can be done in 3-6 month intervals.

The side benefit, is that it is also supposed to reduce the appearance of the scarring. Nice, but not my main focus.

This does not replace PT, it's an adjunct.

I have only had my first treatment, but I will let you all know the results as it goes along.

That sounds awesome, TIna! I continue to be amazed at all that one learns just by coming to this site. Thanks for sharing.

Yes let me know I would be very interested. Works on a similar principle to acupuncture as that is how my naturopath used to work, he'd stab me in the scar tissue, to help bring in blood flow. Good luck let us know if it works.

Ok, so here is the update on the laser...

The treatements are 3-6 months apart, but are combined with 2 lasers (one can be more often, but generally they are done together), and generally take a total of 2 years.

After the first laser treatment on the neck scars, I was concerned because everything seemed to get tighter, but meeting with my surgeon, he advised that this was likely to to nerve stimulation.

There has been a reduction in the raised portions of the scars (they were very pronounced especially on one side of my neck), and the redness has faded. The "cosmetic" side is a perk, but not what I am really interested in.

The mobility has not yet improved, but I've only been once so that is to be expected.

My next session is in April, and I'm hoping to have more to report then.

Interesting so it's meant to break up scar tissue!?

More updates on the laser. I am seeing some increased mobility in my neck. The "choking" sensattion is reducing and feels more like tightness now. It's hard to say whether this is simply due to the passage of time, or the laser itself.

The scarring is definitely less noticable and less raised.

Yes, Cheryl, the idea is to punch microscopic holes in the scar tissue to break it down and let new, healthy, "non-trauma" collagen form.

I am having the double laser in mid June, so I will post a follow up then.

Yes it is the same principle as acupuncture..
It seemed to help me good luck hope it keeps helping.

I had such a horrible experience with the laser. After the first treatment is was as if I had a reverse whiplash with the pain in the front of the neck. I couldn't get up off the floor because I couldn't raise my head. It lasted for several days. They think a nerve was compromised by the laser. I already had significant fibrosis and atrophy of my SCM muscle in the left side which is probably what happened.

Uptown, this is pretty new. Was it perhaps a different type of laser? (see my first post which identifies the type).

I had no pain from this, except a mild discomfort when the laser was operating.

It was the ultrpulse plus cold laser with electristim. It was about 6 months ago. I had lost a OT of muscle by then and had a lot of neuropathy issues.

Ed